By Taiye Olayemi
The Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), mentioned that the present evaluate of the National Tourism Policy was centered on selling home tourism.
Ms Ngozi Ngoka, Thematic Lead, Tourism and Hospitality Industries, Thematic Group, mentioned the evaluate was a deliberate transfer to make sure that tourism contributed to the Gross Domestic Product(GPD) of the nation’s economic system as obtained in different international locations.
Ngoka mentioned this on Saturday in Lagos, throughout the tourism and hospitality stakeholders validation of the 2024 Draft of the tourism coverage.
She, nevertheless, urged Nigerians to journey inside the nation for wealth creation.
She acknowledged that the tourism coverage which was initially made in 1990, was first reviewed in 2005 to strategically maintain the sector.
“The tourism coverage comprises quite a bit. It’s one of the best factor that may occur to the tourism business.
“This is as a result of for the primary time we’re going to have a complete doc that streamlines the best way tourism will work within the nation and now we have a really unbelievable staff engaged on it.
“We are excited that that is the primary time it’s going to come back to fruition.
“A big part of this tourism policy is to develop the domestic tourism because a lot of countries that have tourism as a major contributor to its GDP started by traveling domestically,” she mentioned.
Ngoka used South Africa as a case research.
According to her, throughout apartheid, South Africa managed its home tourism, by the point apartheid ended, tourism grew to become a giant marketplace for them.
“We, therefore, encourage everybody to travel within Nigeria, to use our domestic products,” she suggested.
Ngoka acknowledged that many countries had been in a position to revive their economic system via tourism.
She mentioned that tourism remained the bedrock for all financial actions.
Speaking additional on the coverage evaluate, Ngoka mentioned it was mandatory to keep up the integrity and talent of the tourism coverage and information the business towards international competitiveness, and sustainable development.
She mentioned the evaluate concerned updating the coverage to mirror new authorized and regulatory necessities.
She mentioned it will additionally contain incorporating technological developments and aligning with present greatest practices for operational excellence.
She additionally mentioned that the evaluate would specify how dangers can be managed successfully and learn how to reply proactively to modifications in market situations and vacationer preferences.
“In reviewing the nationwide tourism coverage, our imaginative and prescient is to rework Nigeria into a number one tourism vacation spot in Africa and globally.
“Also to harness our cultural heritage, pure landscapes, artistic and sports activities industries, and vibrant communities to draw vacationers and buyers.
“Our guideline is on sustainability, innovation, advertising and collaboration.
“We expect that at the end of the day, we will record increased tourist arrivals, create jobs, and improve global perception of Nigeria as a premiere tourist destination,” she mentioned.
Ngoka mentioned the coverage evaluate staff had been divided into seven teams.
The teams embody: Infrastructure improvement; Marketing and promotion; Regulatory and institutional framework.
Others are: Stakeholders engagement, Economic influence; Implementation plan and Sustainability and environmental concerns.
“We encourage all stakeholders, together with authorities officers, non-public sectors and neighborhood representatives, to actively take part within the implementation course of.
“By working together, we can create a sustainable, inclusive and competitive tourism sector that significantly contribute to Nigeria’s socio-economic development,” she mentioned (NAN) (nannews.ng)
